Timing for planting seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region

Gardeners have many secrets for achieving a good and bountiful harvest. One of the newest developments in the world of gardening is greenhouses made of cellular polycarbonate. Given that this material is unique and not yet widely known, it's important to know when to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region. After all, planting time is crucial, and given the completely different conditions in a greenhouse, planting times will vary accordingly.

The difference between polycarbonate greenhouses and greenhouses made of other materials

It's no wonder that polycarbonate is considered a unique material, as it has its own advantages over greenhouses made of polyethylene or glass:

• Inside the greenhouse there are more comfortable conditions for plants;
• Light is well diffused through the greenhouse;
• The planted seedlings are protected from direct sunlight;
• Greenhouses made from this material are durable and flexible;
• Polycarbonate greenhouses are fire-resistant;
• High thermal insulation;
• Long service life;
• Not a heavy construction in terms of weight.

These advantages influence when to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region in 2016, but weather and climate conditions also play a role. For example, the Moscow region is known for its capricious weather, and while one year you can plant seedlings as early as April, the next year this timeframe may shift to May.

What you need to know about polycarbonate greenhouses

Before deciding when to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region, you need to carefully monitor the air and soil temperature inside the greenhouse.

One of the advantages of polycarbonate greenhouses is that they allow for earlier planting of seedlings than in polyethylene or glass greenhouses. It's possible to maintain a high temperature inside the greenhouse even if the weather outside hasn't yet stabilized, as polycarbonate greenhouses have hermetically sealed doors and windows.

Timing of sowing seedlings

There are heated polycarbonate greenhouses, and there are unheated ones. If a greenhouse made of this material is unheated, then the time to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region will be as early as mid-April.

This is a good time to plant radish, dill, and other greens. However, for warmer-loving crops, it's best to wait a little while until the soil warms up. These include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, and zucchini.

Important! Determining the exact time to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region is only possible by monitoring changes in soil temperature.

Even if the air temperature is already quite high, that doesn't mean the soil has warmed up sufficiently. After all, seedlings are planted not on the top layer of soil, but deep within, which can be 10 to 15 centimeters, where the soil warms up more slowly. If you don't take this into account when planting seedlings, they may fail to thrive due to stress.

To determine the soil temperature at a certain depth, insert a thermometer into the soil and observe the temperature. For eggplants and tomatoes to grow well, the thermometer should read at least 17 degrees Celsius. For planting cucumber and pepper seedlings, a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius is ideal. Onions are easy to grow, and the optimal temperature for them is 8-10 degrees Celsius.

How do you know when seedlings are ready to be planted in a greenhouse?

The first indicator of when to plant seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region is the soil and air temperature. However, planting can be sped up by warming the soil, for example, by pouring boiling water on it or adding sawdust and humus, which rot in high air temperatures, thereby warming the soil.

However, it's also important to keep in mind that seedlings aren't always ready at the right time. For example, cucumber seedlings can be planted when they have three full, true leaves. In the Moscow region, this typically occurs around the middle of the last month of spring.

Tomatoes They are planted in the greenhouse before cucumbers, in early May. The air temperature should already be around 25 degrees Celsius, and at night it shouldn't drop below 7 degrees Celsius.

Pepper Peppers need to be hardened off before planting. To do this, reduce the temperature both night and day to 18 degrees Celsius. Before planting, pepper seedlings should be watered to avoid damaging the plant's roots. The best time to plant peppers in a polycarbonate greenhouse is late May.

seedlings eggplants Eggplants also need to be hardened off before planting, using the same principle as peppers. To determine when to plant eggplants in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region, ensure the plant has developed eight leaves and is approximately 20 centimeters tall.

A guide to planting seedlings in a polycarbonate greenhouse in the Moscow region can be not only the air and soil temperature and the appearance of the seedlings, but also a special gardener's lunar calendar.

To ensure a bountiful and healthy harvest, pay close attention to planting timing and remember to provide the plants with proper care. Good luck in the garden!